Cons

Bottom Line

The Surface Go is an intriguing low-cost detachable for travelers, education buyers, and others who want to launch into Microsoft's well-made, attractive Surface 2-in-1s on a tight budget.

2 Aug 2018

Over the years, Microsoft's Surface line has inspired a host of imitators in the convertible 2-in-1 market. Indeed, Surfaces have defined what makes for a visually—and functionally—exceptional laptop/tablet detachable. Microsoft is now taking the Surface concept smaller with the Surface Go, a 10-inch Windows tablet that's a shrunken-down version of the Surface Pro. Most of what's familiar about the Pro is here (its design cues, sharp touch display, and built-in kickstand), just with more modest internal components. Though performance isn't particularly speedy, the Surface Go (starts at $399; $549 as tested) is a great mobile companion for less-demanding work, a natural fit for travelers, and an inexpensive option for classrooms.

It's a Surface, Just Smaller

While it may sound silly, picture the Surface Go as a Surface Pro that's been put in the clothes dryer a bit too long. It apes the established aesthetic and feel of the larger flagship device, with everything just sized down. (See our companion piece Surface Go Vs. Surface Pro: What's the Difference?)

From the materials to the kickstand, the Go feels, looks, and functions like its larger sibling, whose positive traits are well known. Microsoft's main hardware product offers the best of both PC and tablet functionality through full Windows 10, a sharp high-resolution display, a built-in kickstand, and an optional keyboard and stylus peripheral, all of which are coming in the mix with the pint-size Surface Go. (The Windows 10 aspect is a little complicated, but more on that in a moment.)

The Surface Go is, like the Surface Pro, just a Windows tablet at heart, with optional accessories such as a keyboard cover turning it into a laptop, if you like. The main tablet measures 0.33 by 9.6 by 6.98 inches (HWD) and weighs just 1.15 pounds, a highly portable slate made of quality magnesium and just a few feathers above the weight of that 1-pound tablet icon, the Apple iPad (2017). (As a point of comparison for the design, it feels a bit like holding a squarer Nintendo Switch in its size and build.)

It's not the first Windows 10 tablet, by any means, but it does come off as one of the nicest and most fully featured. Is thinness won't wow you—being as slim as possible isn't really possible here, as there's a lot of hardware to fit behind just a display. (With any detachable, that is the price you pay for full detachability.) In fact, it's roughly the same thickness as its full-size counterpart, the 0.33-inch-thick Surface Pro. Still, it does manage to be slightly slimmer than the Lenovo Miix 320 (0.4 inch) and the Acer Switch 3 (0.39 inch), and much trimmer than the 0.7-inch-thick Lenovo Flex 6 11.

The display measures 10 inches on the diagonal, but the pixel density is very high. It bears a 1,800-by-1,200-pixel native resolution, which works out to a 3:2 aspect ratio and 217 pixels per inch. To my eyes, the panel is as sharp and as crisp as the excellent displays on other Surface products. It boasts responsive 10-point touch technology, as well. In some cases, the screen's size required me to lean in to the device, especially to see smaller fonts without straining, when it was set up in laptop mode on a desk. That's not unique to the Surface Go, however, as a 10-inch screen is a 10-inch screen. Resolution can make a difference in text size, but you can also adjust Windows' font scaling as needed.

The Go's Guts and Ports

Microsoft is selling two different models of the Surface Go, priced at $399 and $549. Inside the $399 model, a "Kaby Lake" Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y processor runs the show, along with the CPU-integrated Intel HD Graphics 615, 4GB of main system memory, and 64GB of eMMC flash memory for storage. Our review unit is the more expensive version, which offers the same processor, but accompanied by 8GB of memory and a 128GB SSD.

It's unfortunately a relatively big price jump to get this SSD-equipped model, but RAM is pricey these days and SSD is simply not inexpensive technology. The storage capacity takes a nice bump, though, so you can also store more files and your system will load faster. A 128GB drive isn't a ton of storage, but for the types of tasks the Surface Go is built for, it's a fitting capacity. On the whole, I think the $399 price point of the Surface Go is one of the stronger selling points, so there's less head-turning value in hearing "$550 Surface." But the speedier storage and more-standard amount of memory are undeniably nice to have if you'll also lean on this machine as a frequent work companion.

As for that processor, the Pentium Gold 4415Y is a very low-wattage mobile CPU. (It has a 6-watt thermal design power rating.) It's a seventh-generation chip with two cores but support for four processing threads via Hyper-Threading. A CPU that tops out at this level is more or less necessary given the target price point and limited space for thermals—the Surface Go's design is fanless. All of this promises to add up to a modestly speedy handheld system—by no means a powerhouse, but a little machine well more capable than your typical extreme-budget 2-in-1, especially if you opt for the model with the "true" SSD versus the pokier eMMC flash memory. The Pentium Gold, versus the Atoms and Celerons common in budget chromebooks and like systems in this price range, should help.

Around the edges and bezels of the Surface Go are the physical ports and inlets, but don't expect many. You get dual microphones for voice calls, two cameras (a front-facing 5-megapixel camera, and a rear 8-megapixel one), a single USB Type-C port (used for data, video out, and charging), a headphone jack, and a MicroSDXC card reader. I'd have liked to see a Type-A USB for attaching workaday items like a flash drive.

In addition, the Surface Go supports Windows Hello for facial-recognition sign-ins via the camera. The standard wireless connectivity is the expected Wi-Fi (here, 802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.1. Worth noting for frequent travelers, an LTE version of the Surface Go is coming at a later date. Like the Surface Pro with LTE, it's a natural fit for those who need to work on planes, trains, and automobiles, but as I discuss below, long typing sessions are less appealing on this model's keyboard.

Two Flavors of Windows 10

The takeaway of the component overview is that the guts are relatively basic, but the Surface Go still offers a solid spec baseline for the price. As a Windows 10 system, the Surface Go will be able to run all of your standard Windows programs (Microsoft Office, the desktop version of Spotify, and the like), and should be able to do so without straining itself given the components.

That brings us to a key point: the Windows 10 versions that will be deployed on Surface Go. With commercial versions of the Surface Go, Microsoft will be shipping Windows 10 Pro, with the option to lock the version to Windows 10 S, the version of Windows 10 that works solely with Windows Store apps and Windows 10 S-compatible accessories. Versions of the Surface Go sold to consumers, on the other hand, will ship with Windows 10 S active by default.

Buyers of these models will have a free but one-way (i.e., irrevocable) option through the Windows Store to switch from Windows 10 S mode to Windows 10 Home. So, in short, you will get a full version of Windows 10 in either buying scenario. You will just have to activate it, if you want it, on the consumer versions of the Surface Go, and you can't go back to Windows 10 S if you do.

After messing around on Windows 10 S for a short period (which largely feels the same as full Windows 10), I was forced to make my one-time switch. Our benchmarking software consists of multiple full Windows programs, and these could not install on Windows 10 S, so I had no choice but to convert. If you attempt to install full applications, a prompt appears suggesting you make the jump and directs you to the Windows Store to transfer with just a few clicks.

You're a Stand-Up Tablet

Plenty of Windows-based 2-in-1s and tablets have sought to emulate the Surface, but the device's excellent kickstand has set the standard for Windows detachables, marrying the tablet and laptop device types effectively and allowing each mode to be deployed quickly depending on need. This is largely a positive, though as I'll get into below, the kickstand doesn't work quite as well at this size in all situations.

As with the full-size Surface Pro, the Go's kickstand has a very wide range of adjustability, thanks to its stiff hinge. You can stand the tablet from almost vertical to just about flat (down to 165 degrees). This works well on a desk or table, as the smaller size of the tablet proper doesn't make any part of the setup process more difficult. On your lap, however, the small size of the Surface Go has only so much kickstand width to balance on your thighs, which makes it less stable used that way than the Surface Pro.

Now, mind you, the flagship Surface Pro isn't ideal used on your lap, either, but its wider body can fit across your legs much more naturally, even if you have to be careful not to move too suddenly while balancing the kickstand. With the Surface Go, the lesser body/kickstand width means you have to keep your legs close together, or else it will fall between them. That arrangement is serviceable on my lap for a quick session, but much less so for a long train ride, as it requires you to sit upright and still, and strain your neck a bit. And while the device is nicely made and feels sturdy, it's not a ruggedized tablet you'll feel comfortable seeing clatter to the floor.

So, you'll want to use the Surface Go mostly on a flat...well...surface. And that's fine, because most compact 2-in-1s this size suffer the same malady. For some users, though, it's a plus, not a minus. Traveling presenters, for one, may appreciate the small size of the Surface Go, because it could be an excellent traveling companion for giving big-screen presentations. Through the proprietary Surface dock connector, the Surface Go can display to an external monitor (up to a 4K panel) for presentations, or more concerted desktop work on a big display...

In our trials with the device, docking was instant, though the modestly powered device demonstrated some lag pushing images and 3D models to such a high-resolution screen. Still, it's a very handy feature to have, and simpler tasks and display operations operate just fine. Your basic static presentation will present no problems.

A Need for (Bigger) Keys

It is a bit of a shame that the Surface Go doesn't come with a keyboard in the box. This, alas, is usual practice for the Surface tablets. I understand it would drive the price up, but in this particular case, the device becomes much more useful with one. At this size, propping up the Surface Go on a desk in laptop mode without a keyboard isn't the most useful layout. The Surface Go has its uses in tablet mode, and the default consumer OS (Windows 10 S) is built for poking and tapping. But not having the ability to type or use a touchpad to navigate Windows is not ideal.

If you are going to make the jump and purchase a keyboard, Microsoft offers a few options. A stock $99 Type Cover for Surface Go comes in black alone, while the spiffier $129 Signature Type Cover comes in platinum, burgundy, and cobalt shades. These are finished with a soft "Alcantara" fabric material, which has echoes of rich Corinthian leather but nonetheless feels nice to rest your wrists on. The black version, in contrast, is all-polyurethane.

Microsoft sent along the cobalt Alcantara keyboard with our review unit, which looks pretty classy, but will set your wallet back. Combined with our pricier version of the Go, the cost of this review unit adds up to $678, and that's before you get the optional Surface Pen ($99). Factoring in the Pen, the price point begins to spin out of the affordability-minded zone, which both makes the Go less of a bargain and changes which devices it's competing with. Many 2-in-1 alternatives include the keyboard in the cost, so make sure to factor that in when shopping for the Surface Go.

You attach the Go's keyboard in the same way you do on the Surface Pro, a streamlined process as on most detachable 2-in-1s. The Surface is among the easiest to attach and detach; some competitors make it a little clumsier than needed. The Surface Go's board connects to the bottom of the device with a magnetic snap, and you can then adjust the keyboard to a more comfortable angle by folding a flap up against the screen and attaching it to embedded magnets there.

While setting up the Type Cover on a desk is a breeze, the new, smaller keyboard is a bit cramped to type on. It's much more comfortable as a quick note-taking device than as a go-to word processing machine. Given the keyboard and display size, I wouldn't exactly look forward to typing a whole essay or review on it. It's functional, but the keys, while they remain island-style with spaces between, are themselves small since the whole layout has to fit in a narrower device. I definitely became more accustomed to the size as I used the Surface Go for a longer stretch, but you have to be more careful with your keystrokes, which will slow you down and cause some mistakes at first. That's not to say this is a poor-quality keyboard, though. The keys are backlit, and they deliver satisfying action, even though there's just 1mm of travel.

However, the angled nature of the keyboard, when attached to the screen magnetically, does have a little give to it, because there's nothing supporting the keyboard between the screen and the front edge. This creates a slight natural sag, and the Alcantara surface flexes in just a little when you press on a key. It's not pronounced, and it doesn't ruin the typing experience, but it is noticeable. Unlike the keys, the touchpad is generously sized relative to the whole keyboard, and it tracks very nicely.

A Teacher's New Best Friend?

So, traveling presenters, and those who work on stable desks or tray tables, should appreciate the Surface Go. But that leads us to one of the larger talking points surrounding this machine: Who, really, is it for?

With the Surface Go's relatively low price versus the rest of the Surface Pro line and its very portable nature, the education market is one of the obvious fits. Classrooms have taken to chromebooks and iPads in droves as affordable options to hand out to students, though I've personally been a bit skeptical of proposed scenarios in which schools rush to buy swaths of these devices without clear usage-case clarity. You can certainly find apps on either Google Play or Apple's App Store that can be used in the classroom, but functionality is limited.

Though I have similar reservations about the investment versus the benefit for schools, I think the Surface Go is a more powerful tool for this scenario. Running a full PC operating system with more power gives schools options for what to run on these devices. They're also small enough for younger children to handle, and the integrated touch interface, especially in Windows 10 S, is appealing (as opposed to on chromebooks, which often lack touch). Younger kids may be more prone to damaging a non-rugged device like this one, but given that Microsoft is aiming for this audience, the Surface Go should be able to withstand some wear and tear.

At the preview event I went to before we received a review unit, Microsoft showed me some examples of educational applications that may be employed in the classroom. These ranged from Mandarin-teaching tools (students would trace the characters with the Surface Pen) to apps with detailed 3D models of the human head. I can see scenarios where these would be useful for a classroom of students—or just for an individual child—and while iOS and Android have their own options, Windows 10 or 10 S is a fleshed-out ecosystem that can also be readily used for productivity work.

The handheld nature and full Windows 10 OS may also have appeal to the medical sector, where on-the-go professionals can carry the device from room to room to show charts, images, and information, then snap on a keyboard for limited data input.

In less specialized use, I found the Surface Go pleasant to tote. I hardly notice it in the crook of my arm or one hand while buzzing around our office and taking it on the train. It shines in any of these on-the-go circumstances, so if you find yourself hopping from meeting to meeting and spending a lot of time away from your desk, this may be a great partner. On a larger scale, the low cost may be especially well suited to the bulk-purchase scenarios I mentioned.

Performance Tests: The Go Is So-So

As mentioned, the Surface Go's target size and cost means a relatively modest internal-component offering. With no room for much cooling, the low-wattage CPU is a necessary choice, and it fits the general design concept and purpose of the Go. All of this is to say you shouldn't expect blistering speeds, and indeed, it performed modestly on our benchmark tests.

Its PCMark 8 Work Conventional test is on the low side for modern systems, and it didn't match up too well against some of the competition. (It should be noted, though, that having a higher screen resolution hurts this score, and the Lenovo Flex 6 11, for example, only offers a 720p display). I included both the Miix 320 and the more expensive Lenovo Miix 520 for comparison since the Surface Go's price can scale closer to either of them depending on the SKU and keyboard.

In more general, anecdotal use, I found the Surface Go's responsiveness perfectly adequate for everyday tasks. Open too many visually demanding applications, or launch too many browser tabs at once, and it will slow down. But it ran fine for web browsing, word processing, and light multitasking in my experience.

Multimedia tests were another story. Like the PCMark 8 score, the results I saw on Handbrake, Cinebench, and Photoshop weren't exactly impressive, ranking well behind the Core i5 U-series kin assembled here in the charts. It's pretty obvious this isn't a media machine or workstation, though, so using it in a pinch for media editing is the most I'd expect a reasonable user to subject this machine to.

As you might guess, the Surface Go isn't a killer at 3D-accelerated applications, either. No detachable tablet is, really, as professional or hobby-grade 3D readiness is the realm of gaming laptops, mobile workstations, or the uncommon general-use laptop that includes a discrete graphics card. None of the Go's competitors is 3D- or gaming-ready, worth keeping in mind if you work with 3D models or rendering and were hoping to use a device like this while on the move.

Despite the fact that the Go's compact chassis doesn't leave much room for a beefy battery, the Surface Go lasted for a very respectable 9 hours and 56 minutes (9:56) on our video-playback rundown test. The Flex 6 11 ran for a little longer, at 11:10, but it and others were in the same ballpark. Nearly 10 hours isn't super-long battery life (many ultraportables can hack that), but it is a lot of time away from the charger for a system that stresses mobility. And it's strong enough for a detachable design, given that, in most cases, the only place the battery can live is behind the screen. (Notable exception: Microsoft's own, and way pricier, Surface Book 2.)

A Nice-But-Niche Surface?

Putting aside the specific professional use cases and bulk-purchase scenarios addressed earlier on, someone who travels a lot on aircraft will find plenty of use for the Surface Go. It won't take up much room in a carry-on bag, it fits on a tray table just right (especially minus the detachable keyboard), and even though the arrangement is not ideal, it can be used on your lap.

Even our pricier 8GB/128GB model is only passable on speed, though, so if you need to get a lot of processor-intensive work done, something with a bit more power may be a better fit. That said, a peppier 2-in-1 will also have to be larger. Detachable tablets' potential power tends to scale with size, as a 10-inch tablet like the Surface Go is more thermally challenging inside for hardware engineers than a 12- or 13-incher like the Surface Pro, by sheer dint of less space for cooling.

While I wouldn't make a Surface Go my primary machine for graphical/video creativity work or demanding tasks—Microsoft acknowledges this is not really its place—it's still a fine choice for a lean, mean travel companion. The Go fills a niche, is nicely built, and is inexpensive enough to justify its role. Power seekers, though, looking for a main-squeeze detachable 2-in-1 should continue to look at the Editors' Choice-winning Surface Pro first.

Microsoft Surface Go

Bottom Line: The well-built Surface Go is the least expensive route into Microsoft's superb Surface tablet line, and the most portable option. Just know that frequent travelers will like it best, and the core processing power is on the light side.

About the Author

Matthew Buzzi is a junior analyst on the Hardware team at PCMag. Matthew graduated from Iona College with a degree in Mass Communications/Journalism. He interned for a college semester at Kotaku, writing about gaming. He has written about technology and video game news, as well as hardware and gaming reviews. In his free time, he likes to go out with friends, watch and discuss sports, play video games, read too much Twitter, and obsessively manage any fantasy sports leagues he's involved in. See Full Bio